Leroy
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| #1 Posted on 23.7.03 1644.37 Reposted on: 23.7.10 1645.40 | Just to prevent me from losing all sense of optimism:
House Rolls Back Media Ownership Changes
400-21 in favour of rejecting the new FCC Regulations - seems pretty veto proof.
And if the last thread on the topic is any indication, we all pretty much agreed that deregulation was a bad idea. Now if the Senate will just do the same... Promote this thread! | | Enojado Viento
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| #2 Posted on 23.7.03 1744.35 Reposted on: 23.7.10 1751.15 | Hopefully, yes, but that depends on how independent the Senate's feeling at the moment--the White House has promised a veto if a vote to overturn comes through, flying in the face of any and all common sense.
Kinda odd that Michael Powell's putting out feelers about stepping down after this inspired FCC decision, no?
(edited by Enojado Viento on 23.7.03 1546) | Grimis
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| #3 Posted on 24.7.03 0556.41 Reposted on: 24.7.10 0556.43 |
Originally posted by Enojado Viento Kinda odd that Michael Powell's putting out feelers about stepping down after this inspired FCC decision, no?
He's been doing that for awhile; remember, there is tons more money in private industry than in government service(at least, legally).
I think that they'll get 67 votes(or damn near that many) to vetoproof this in the Senate. | Pimp Jewce
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| #4 Posted on 25.7.03 0325.13 Reposted on: 25.7.10 0326.27 | How do you figure they will get 67 votes when theres only 51 republicans | Grimis
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| #5 Posted on 25.7.03 0855.20 Reposted on: 25.7.10 0855.20 |
Originally posted by Pimp Jewce How do you figure they will get 67 votes when theres only 51 republicans
Because there are 49 Democrats who only need 18 Republicans... | vsp
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| #6 Posted on 25.7.03 0943.26 Reposted on: 25.7.10 0944.44 | The House vote was 400-21. That's not exactly running along party lines. There should be no problem finding Democrats _and_ Republicans convinced that this dog won't hunt. | RKMtwin
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| #7 Posted on 27.7.03 0014.05 Reposted on: 27.7.10 0019.47 | (Please pardon the long rant, as this issue has been on my mind for quite some time)
I can't imagine that ANYONE could see deregulation as a good thing except for those who would gain profit and influence from it. Bravo to the House for voting so overwhelmingly against this notion. Let's cross our fingers and fope the Senate follows suit.
I think it's quite alarming that at this point, the media is controlled by an oligopoly. This small number of conglomerates already influence the dissemination of information and entertainment to us all, and yet Michael Powell (son of Secretary of State, Colin Powell) wants to cede more power to them? That is a prime example of big money politics. One could argue that there had to be some incentive for Powell to fight for this (thus far) failed deregulation. Imagine that a company like Viacom, which owns MTV, Comedy Central, VH1, BET, Nickelodeon, Simon and Schuster(sp), Paramount Pictures, CBS, and part of UPN, is allowed to gain more control of the media in your hometown. But also imagine if the other media powerhouses all do the same.
This is so NOT a partisan issue that it just isn't funny. One can look at arguments from both sides as to the bias the media has, but in reality, the ONLY bias the media has is to ultimately serve its own interests, sell audiences to one another to make profit, and grow their wealth. And those conglomerates will line the pockets and the coffers of anyone the can in order to ensure that their interests are met, and that other interests are kept protected. That infuriates me, and I'm sure it infuriates many others.
For instance, General Electric has an interest in the Military Industrial Complex. They help develop and manufacture major weapons technology. It would be against their interests to have people not support, say, a war (not being particular in this case), because it may negatively impact their business. So, in order to ensure that they can command the public's mindset to obtain the public's acquiesence, obedience, or indeed ignorance, they utilize their media arm to influence people's thinking or distract them from what is going on. So, in other words, GE uses their media company- NBC- to get people to think the way they want people to think, to guarantee that no one can contest the operation of their business.
If the deregulation of the media happens the way Powell wants it, nothing will stop GE, Viacom, News Corporation or Disney or others from being able to buy more radio stations, newspapers, and TV channels to be able to push their own agendas. How does this reflect the multitude of different voices and attitudes that Americans have?
Whether one is conservative or liberal, one must agree that it cannot be a good thing that this may yet happen. If it does, I guarantee that there will be certain voices that will be masked or completely silenced. Issues that the public deals with everyday will be discussed and presented through our media in a very slanted, narrow way. Our only access to information will be in the hands of a group of much more strengthened media conglomerates. Therefore, our thinking will change because we are only being offered a limited scope of ideas about our everyday world all around us.
This country is built upon foundations that allow people certain types of freedoms. One of those is absolutely necessary to the survival of the United States, and that is our freedom of speech. It is up to our government to ensure that it is protected, no matter what. Our representatives did their job. Now it's up to our Senators.
And one question:
Where can one find a record of the vote in the House? It would be VERY intriguing indeed to find out who those 21 Reps were who actually supported this bill.
| CRZ
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| #8 Posted on 27.7.03 0319.47 Reposted on: 27.7.10 0323.18 |
Originally posted by RKMtwin Where can one find a record of the vote in the House? It would be VERY intriguing indeed to find out who those 21 Reps were who actually supported this bill.
'ere ya go (clerkweb.house.gov) | RKMtwin
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| #9 Posted on 27.7.03 1325.44 Reposted on: 27.7.10 1327.06 |
Originally posted by CRZ
Originally posted by RKMtwin Where can one find a record of the vote in the House? It would be VERY intriguing indeed to find out who those 21 Reps were who actually supported this bill.
'ere ya go (clerkweb.house.gov)
Thank you much!
Oh, and I see that McInnis, Musgrave and Udall(CO) were in the Nays. Being that they're three of Colorado's reps, well, hmmmm... | ALL ORIGINAL POSTS IN THIS THREAD ARE NOW AVAILABLE |
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